The 2026 Winter Olympic Games take place February 6 – 22 and as the games capture the attention of people all around the world, Trent University experts can offer insight into the many dimensions of elite sport and the Olympic experience. Trent faculty can speak to how athletes prepare mentally for high-pressure competition, why performance can shift under scrutiny, what spectators gain emotionally and philosophically from sport, and how mega-events shape culture, access, and inclusion.

The following Trent experts are available for media interviews throughout the Winter Games:

Dr. James Onusko, Histories of Youth and Sport in Postwar Canada
Dr. James Onusko, is the principal of Champlain College and an adjunct professor in History and Canadian Studies. He is available for comment on the history of sport and intersections with children and youth in postwar Canada as it relates to the Cold War period.

Dr. Greg Yerashotis, Sport Gender Health and Social Inclusion
Dr. Greg Yerashotis, associate professor of Sociology, is a community-engaged sociologist whose research examines sport, social inclusion, and the impacts of sport mega-events. He is the author of a forthcoming book on sport and social inclusion in multicultural Canadian society, particularly around the FIFA World Cup. He teaches Physical Culture and Well-being in Canada at Trent University and is available to comment on the social, cultural, and equity dimensions of the Olympic Games, including participation, access, and belonging.

Dr. Moira Howes, Philosophy of Sport:
Dr. Moira Howes, associate professor of Philosophy, specializes in philosophy of sport and fitness, argumentation theory, and the role of emotion in reasoning. Professor Howes is available for comment on the values and emotional experiences we gain from participating in, and spectating, sport. She has a particular interest in philosophical issues concerning adventure sport and outdoor recreation.

Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, Getting Your Head in the Game
Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, associate professor in Psychology, is available for comment on the psychology of sport and mental preparation for athletes as they gear up for the Olympic games. Professor O’Hagan teaches sport psychology and works with Trent student-athletes to optimize performance through mental skills training.

Dr. Liana Brown, Neuroscience of Motor Performance
Olympic athletes dedicate years to honing their skill, so why do they remain vulnerable to pressure? What distinguishes elite athletes at the Olympic level from others? Dr. Liana Brown, associate professor in Psychology and Kinesiology, specializes in motor skill learning and performance. She can offer insights and answer questions through her knowledge of neuroscience and psychology in sport.